Monday, March 28, 2011

During most weeks if a goaltender posts a 2-0-1 record, 0.32 goals-against
average, .987 save percentage and two shutouts they would win the National
Hockey Leauge’s first star of the week, but unfortunately for Henrik Lundqvist
this week he will have to settle for third.Ryan Miller who had a very similar week to Henrik but won all three of
his starts as the Sabres continue their push for the playoffs and Corey Perry
had an amazing offensive week for the Ducks.

Lundqvist play last week was critical to propelling the Rangers considering
the offense only mustered three goals in the three games and yet still managed
to get five critical points in the playoff race that not only has them much
more comfortably inside, but now looking ahead in the standings.The two shutouts brought Lundqvist season
total up to a career-high eleven on the season and his primed to carry this
team into the playoffs as a darkhorse to be reckoned with by whomever they
draw.

For some time it has been presumed that the Rangers would
open the 2011-12 season in Europe as they have been one of the originally six
teams slated to go.Last week it was
reported that the idea of Russia had been taken off the table with the
breakdown in negotiations between the NHL and KHL over the terms of the
agreement.

According to Pierre LeBrun at ESPN.com
the Rangers are still likely to go overseas, but now the most likely
destinations will be Stockholm, Helsinki or Berlin.Making the trip to Europe has always made
sense for the Rangers in terms of opening next season due to the renovations
that are being done at Madison Square Garden that will leave home ice
unavailable throughout the preseason and likely the end of October.

For obvious reasons I am sure both Henrik Lundqvist and
Rangers’ fans would prefer the season start in Stockholm.The other teams in the now four team
discussions for the start of the year in Europe are Buffalo, Los Angeles.
Anaheim.